THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION

[96] A DOG, to whom the butcher
had thrown a bone, was hurrying
home with his prize as fast as he
could go. As he crossed a narrow
footbridge, he happened to look
down and saw himself reflected
in the quiet water as if in a mirror.
But the greedy Dog thought he
saw a real Dog carrying a bone
much bigger than his own.

If he had stopped to think he
would have known better. But
instead of thinking, he dropped
his bone and sprang at the Dog
in the river, only to find himself
swimming for dear life to reach
the shore. At last he managed to
scramble out, and as he stood
sadly thinking about the good
bone he had lost, he realized
what a stupid Dog he had been.

It is very foolish to be greedy.

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